Yes, your nails are made of dead keratin.
Understanding Nail Composition
The visible part of your nail, called the nail plate or nail body, is composed of a protein called keratin. This keratin is arranged in several layers of compacted, dead cells. This structure makes nails strong and flexible. The keratin itself is a hard protein naturally produced by your body and found in hair, skin, and other parts. The nail grows from a matrix located under the skin at the base of the nail. This matrix produces new keratin cells that push older cells forward, resulting in nail growth. The visible nail is thus comprised of these pushed-forward, dead keratin cells.
- Key takeaway: Your fingernails and toenails are essentially made of layers of dead, tightly packed keratin cells. New keratin cells are constantly being produced at the base of the nail, pushing older cells outward. The visible nail is the accumulation of these older, dead cells.
Supporting Evidence from References
Multiple sources confirm this fact:
- The provided text explicitly states that the nail plate is "made of translucent keratin protein" and is composed of "several layers of dead, compacted cells".
- Several other sources reiterate that nails are made of dead keratin cells, similar to hair.
Practical Implications
Understanding that nails are made of dead keratin is relevant for several reasons:
- Nail health: Knowing the composition helps in understanding various nail conditions. For instance, fungal infections often target the keratin in the nail. Treatments may involve removing damaged keratin or promoting the growth of new, healthy keratin.
- Nail care: This knowledge informs proper nail care practices. Avoiding harsh chemicals or trauma can help maintain the integrity of the keratin structure.
- Nail treatments: Many nail products aim to improve nail appearance or strength by working with or supplementing the existing keratin.
